Cursos / 2º Ciclo / Faculty of Architecture and Arts :: Product Design

SUSTENTABILIDADE - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 7.5

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Benedita Camacho
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutora Benedita Camacho

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

Awakening to a holistic view of the Design process;
Understanding sustainability across its multiple dimensions;
Comprehending the origins and development of ecological thinking;
Acquiring knowledge of recent design practices informed by sustainability concepts;
Mastering the specific vocabulary of the discipline related to sustainability;
Consolidating the fundamental notion of the ethical dimension of design.

Specific Aims/Objectives

1- Generic framing of the sustainability theme;
2- Historical overview of the development of ecological thinking within the disciplinary field of design;
3- Disciplinary focus on sustainability issues related to design practice, in relation to the industrial production system and capitalist economic logic;
4- Reflection on new methods of production, proximity relations in a global world, the use of new platforms such as social networks, the emergence of an informed consumer, etc.

Skills to be acquired

Ability to reflect on unconventional ways of solving problems;
Ability to question and validate the information upon which design solutions are based;
Developing a design thinking that naturally integrates sustainability principles.

Teaching Procedures

Participatory exhibition;
Critical reading of texts;
Viewing relevant material (projection of slideshows, films);
Debate.

Programme

1- Concept and dimensions of sustainability
Origin of the term
Concepts and dimensions of sustainability
2- Affirmation of ecological thinking in Design
From William Morris to Richard Buckminster Fuller
A new paradigm: Victor Papanek´s design for the real world
Awareness of finiteness: a new understanding of the role of design in the ´growth´ society
3- Scenarios of sustainability
Complicity of design: from consumption mechanisms to planned obsolescence
Life cycle: the ´cradle to cradle´ approach
Processes and materials: old problems and new solutions
4- Citizen designer
Between the globe and the neighborhood: global issues, local solutions
"Good design is good citizenship": design, the citizen designer, and the community
New ways of doing: social networks and other platforms for idea generation and dissemination
Consumption, complicity, and responsibility
Beyond the surface: the risks of a rhetoric and aesthetics of sustainability.

Evaluation Type

General Regulations for 2nd Cycles of Study Leading to a Master´s Degree at Universidade Lusíada,
Continuous Assessment 60%,
Final Exam 40%,
Continuous assessment: a written test; a research project; class participation; quality of oral and written expression; demonstration of interest in the programme contents and ability to interpret and relate them.
Final assessment: frequency test.

Teaching Resources

Moodle.
Supporting texts, compulsory or optional reading.
UL Media Library and Library and others.
Audio-visual material.
Computer with internet.
Study visits and open classes.

Sustainability Objectives

The sustainability objectives of the UC are aligned with CITAD, GI4 Innovation, Design and (Im)material Culture:
STRONG
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
MODERATE
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13 - Climate Action
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

Dimensions of sustainability
ecological thinking in Design
Sustainability scenarios
Citizen designer

Main Bibliography